The drama in D.C. continues.
Robert Griffin III has been benched and Colt McCoy will start on Sunday vs. the Colts, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, per a team source. Gruden informed the team of the change on Wednesday.Â
While the move isn't necessarily permanent, NFL Media's Albert Breer reports that Colt McCoy will play out the string for the rest of the season if he performs well. Griffin will be the team's No. 2 quarterback, ahead of Kirk Cousins.
"My job is to do everything we can to win," Gruden said on a conference call. "... At this time, I just feel like Colt gives us a better opportunity."
It's a decision that was unfathomable just two years ago when RGIII was deemed as the Redskins' savior on his way to earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. But the injury-prone QB has struggled over the past two seasons, culminating with head coach Jay Grudenopenly criticizing him last week.
RGIII played badly against the Niners, but Gruden said he had "every intent" of starting him vs. Indy. However, Gruden left the door open for a change and clearly saw something he couldn't ignore on the game film.
Griffin's passing mechanics and footwork have regressed, while his confidence has clearly taken a shot. The Baylor product who once froze defenses with his elite speed and pinpoint accuracy has now resorted to dinks and dunks while failing to win a single game this season.
RGIII dislocated his ankle during the first drive of Week 2, and then watched Kirk Cousins struggle with turnovers before Gruden turned to McCoy. The Redskins won in both of McCoy's outings, including an impressive Monday night start against the Cowboys.
The transition back to Griffin was not smooth. DeSean Jackson said in an interview on FOX the decision had teammates "feeling a certain way." After RGIII struggled in his first two games back, he was criticized by Gruden for not taking accountability for his play.
Griffin is entering the final season of his rookie deal and a big decision looms. The Redskins will have to figure out whether to exercise Griffin's fifth-year option by May 3 -- if he's still on the team then.
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